Grading Howie Roseman’s 2016 personnel decisions
Re-signings: B+
Roseman re-signed the fourth-year tight end to a five-year extension worth up to $42.5 million, $20 million of which was guaranteed. The extension made Ertz the sixth highest paid tight end in the league.
Despite the lack of weapons around Carson Wentz, Ertz was a bright spot for the Eagles in 2016. The former second-round pick led the Eagles in both receptions (78) and receiving yards (816) along with four touchdown receptions.
Ertz has shown a knack for turning it up a notch later on in the season which will be key when the Eagles are ready for a playoff run.
The Stanford product averaged almost six receptions a game in December and scored three of four touchdowns in the final month of the year.
Looking at the other tight ends right behind Ertz in average salary, it seems Roseman made a great investment for Ertz to be a long-term target for Wentz down the road.
Grade: A
Despite being a role player on defense in passing situations, the 2012 second-round pick signed a five-year extension with $23 million dollars guaranteed in the spring.
Like Ertz, Curry is a former draft pick of Roseman who has stated the importance of building around homegrown players.
This signing was more about potential as Curry never was a starter under Chip Kelly.
Curry only finished with 2.5 sacks in 2016 and couldn’t break out in what was seen as a better scheme fit for the fourth year Marshall product under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Year one under this extension didn’t go as planned for Curry or Roseman for that matter as this extension has helped put the Eagles in a tough salary cap situation.
If an increased role is granted on the line as expected with Connor Barwin likely being a salary cap casualty this off-season, I still think this extension makes sense for the Eagles in the long run.
Remember, Curry did finish with 9 sacks in 2014 despite being a rotational player in Billy Davis‘s defense.
Grade: B
The opinion on this extension differs depending on who you talk to.
The former fourth overall pick was another homegrown talent that Roseman wanted to lock up as part of the future core. Johnson and the Eagles were dominating, finishing 3-1 before the Sooner product was suspended for 10 games.
The Eagles only won two games without him, killing any playoff hopes.
There isn’t any doubt about Johnson’s talent, but one more suspension and the Eagles won’t have their franchise tackle for two years.
With Lane Johnson: 27.7 PPG, 230.2 Pass YPG, 117.7 Rush YPG
Without Lane Johnson: 20.1 PPG, 220.4 Pass YPG, 110.7 Rush YPG
Given the suspensions, this extension has a lower grade compared to if Johnson played all 16 games (possibly resulting in a playoff berth).
Grade: B+
This extension was about setting a precedent more than anything else when you look at Roseman’s statement after signing the veteran back to a one-year extension.
"“When you talk about leadership, work ethic, character, and then production—he’s made the last two Pro Bowls—he just exemplifies everything that we want to be and as we look at it,” Roseman said. “He’s so important to this team on and off the field, it’s a no brainer from our perspective.”"
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Sproles finished with 865 total yards from scrimmage and was once again a go-to weapon for the Eagles in both the passing and rushing game.
The 33-year-old veteran was key in the development of Wentz in his rookie season.
With one more year left on the extension, Sproles announced he will retire after the 2017 season.
Normally giving out contracts to send a message isn’t a smart way to do business, however the impact Sproles has on and off the field is very valuable for a young team like the Eagles.
Grade: B-
A new three-year deal worth $13 million was awarded to the third longest tenured Eagle.
Although Celek still has a big impact in the run game and as a leader, the Eagles have two young, productive tight ends in Zach Ertz and Trey Burton that need to get more snaps over Celek.
The 31-year-old’s receiving ability has dropped each year, only recording 14 receptions in 2016.
Grade: D
This may have been the best extension by Roseman.
Jenkins has been one of the most effective players both on and off the field since joining the Eagles in 2014. 2016 was no different as Jenkins finished with 3 interceptions, including two for touchdowns.
Roseman locked up Jenkins for another four years with $21 million in guaranteed money, making him a cornerstone for years to come.
Grade: A
QB Sam Bradford
At first this move enraged me. Bradford was never someone I thought a franchise could build around.
His ceiling is low, his mindset on how to play the quarterback position is extremely conservative and just wasn’t somebody I thought fit in Philadelphia.
Once Chip Kelly, the man who traded for Bradford was fired, all hopes that the Eagles would move from Bradford were revived.
However when Roseman handed Bradford a two-year deal worth $35 million, $22 million of which was guaranteed as well as an $11 million signing bonus, many Eagles fans were ready to rebel.
The Eagles are still paying Bradford the signing bonus, but after the trade with the Minnesota Vikings where Bradford was shipped off for a 1st round pick, the move actually looks pretty solid.
Without that signing, the Eagles would not have been able to recoup the first round draft pick given away in the Wentz deal. Not only that but Roseman may not have had leverage over the Cleveland Browns when moving up to the second overall pick if he doesn’t have a starting QB to fall back on if Cleveland asked for too much.
At the time of the signing no trades could be foreseen, this grade is lower then the impact it actually had during the season.
Grade: B